Diploma Computer Science

+++ There is no longer enrollment in the Diploma program Computer Science according to the examination regulations 2010. Please apply for the Diploma in Computer Science according to PO 2025! +++

Expectations of our students

The Diploma program in Computer Science is aimed at mathematically and scientifically talented and particularly motivated high school graduates with the aim of preparing students for a successful career as early-career researchers both at university and in research-oriented industrial laboratories through a demanding, intensified education. The diploma course places high demands on students. These requirements are of course also checked by means of progress assessments. The purpose of this monitoring is to ensure that students are successful in their studies.

Structure and organization

Like the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, the Computer Science degree program consists of modules. It comprises 10 semesters with a total of 300 credit points, including a compulsory one-semester work placement or internship abroad.

But what exactly are modules?
Modules are time-limited, self-contained and examinable, methodically and content-related units that are awarded credit points.

And what are credit points?
Credit points document the average workload of students as well as their individual study progress. One credit point corresponds to a workload of 30 hours. As a rule, 60 credit points are awarded per academic year, i.e. 30 per semester.

Structurally, the course is divided into two areas - the foundation course, which concludes with the intermediate diploma and includes the compulsory subjects of the basic training, and the advanced course, which offers individual design options with an increasing focus on research and concludes with the diploma certificate. The foundation course accounts for 124 of the total 300 credit points and the advanced course for 176 credit points. The course comprises a total of 23 compulsory and 6 compulsory elective modules.

Structure of the foundation course

In the main study program, students are introduced to the faculty's research areas and decide on three specialist areas of computer science by choosing their basic modules. By specializing in one of these subject areas, students can set a focus in their scientific development. The subject areas available are Applied Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software and Web Engineering, System Architecture, Computer Engineering, Theoretical Computer Science and Graphical Data Processing. By choosing a pair of profile modules, you can focus on basic research or applied research.

Structure of the main study program

Contents

The diploma course in Computer Science offers a broad-based education in the scientific foundations of Computer Science on the one hand, and on the other hand is more research-oriented as the course progresses.

In addition to mathematics, the foundation course in computer science covers the analysis, design and implementation of information processing systems. Basic concepts such as algorithm, information, complexity and efficiency are used to examine the static structure and dynamic behavior of such systems. In addition to theoretical principles, the course also teaches application-oriented aspects, i.e. applied and technical computer science. The well-founded training in the core areas of computer science is supplemented by special content-related, didactic and methodological measures that prepare students for professional life. These include teamwork, general principles and languages.

In the main course of study, which is characterized by compulsory elective areas, students acquire fundamental knowledge in three specialist areas of computer science of their choice. The selected topics are examined in detail and related to current research results. The aim is to provide students with both application-related and scientific expertise in the focus area of their choice. The following specializations are available:

• Theoretical computer science: Fundamentals and possibilities for formal modeling and analysis in computer science as well as algorithmic treatment of the resulting models
• Computer Engineering: Fundamentals and structure, design and efficient use of technical realizations of computer systems in the range from embedded systems to parallel and high-performance computing
• Artificial intelligence: theories and methods for the design, construction and programming of intelligent systems
• Applied computer science: methods for the design and control of application systems in all their life phases
• System architecture: fundamentals of operating systems, databases, data security and anonymization technologies, structure and properties of computer networks, systems engineering
• Software and web engineering: design, creation, testing and maintenance of complex distributed multimedia software systems and graphical data processing
• Minor subject: basic knowledge in another field of knowledge relevant to computer science
• General qualification: interdisciplinary key skills (e.g. rhetoric, presentation, communication skills, scientific work, foreign language skills)

Aims

The aim of the degree program is to provide students with a challenging, intensive education to enable them to successfully work as early-career researchers both at universities and in research-oriented industrial laboratories. To this end, they acquire the theoretical and practical specialist knowledge required for future professional practice in the fields of software engineering, media acquisition and processing, information management and intelligent and distributed complex systems, including their technical foundations. They have an overview of the interrelationships between the individual disciplines of computer science and are able to work according to scientific methods at an early stage.

Thanks to their comprehensive methodological skills and professional qualifications, graduates are able to deal with diverse and complex tasks in the field of theoretical, technical, practical and applied computer science in their professional practice.

Graduation

If the diploma examination is passed, the diploma degree is awarded with the professional title: "Diplom-Informatiker" (abbreviated to Dipl.-Inf.).

Differences to Bachelor and Master

• Single-stage study structure, i.e. no interruption, no new application for continuing education after the 6th semester
• Compulsory minor subject outside the core area of computer science
• Compulsory internship abroad/professional internship
• Focus on research-oriented training and academic work through modules such as "Research line", "Analysis of a research topic" and the "Major document"
• Graduation as "Diplom-Informatiker"

Admission requirements and application

The prerequisite for admission to the course is a general higher education entrance qualification, alternatively an adequate subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, a passed master craftsman's examination in a corresponding Department or an entrance qualification recognized as equivalent by the university.

The course begins in the winter semester. Applications must be submitted by 15.09. of each year via the online application of the Admissions Office.

Further information

• Study and examination regulations, as well as study schedule with details on the distribution of teaching forms and classroom teaching
• Information flyer on the degree program
• Student Advisory Service
• Faculty Student Council